First Reading Commentary
There are images here such as darkness covering
the earth and the appearance of light which take us back all the way to the
creation story in Genesis. Keeping the
creation story in mind, Scripture tells us that the earth was void and empty
and darkness was upon the face of the deep (cf.
Genesis 1:2). Void, emptiness and
darkness are descriptions that can be symbolic of sin. And Scripture reveals next that the Spirit of
God moved over the waters (cf. Genesis
1:2).
The Virgin Mary also had the Spirit move over
her and when God said: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), the greatest Light of all was now conceived in the
Blessed Virgin Mary. And why? To be the Occupant for that void, the Filler
for that emptiness, and the Beacon for that darkness which formerly plagued
humanity.
In Genesis, God saw that the light was good (cf. Genesis 1:4). To say that the Light conceived in Mary is
good would be an understatement. In
Genesis, God divided the darkness from the light (cf. Genesis 1:4). That
division of light and darkness literally, prophetically and symbolically has
forever remained in tact. The light
prophesied here in this Reading
The opening verse reads: “Rise up in splendor,
Jerusalem!” Actually, “Jerusalem Saint Jerome Jerusalem Zion Jerusalem Babylon Jerusalem
Traditionally, three kings traveled on camels
bearing gold and frankincense, as mentioned in this Reading, as well as myrrh
which is not included here. They came to
see the Light and proclaim the praises of the Lord.
Second Reading Commentary
“You have heard of the stewardship of God's
grace that was given to me for your benefit.”
What Paul is conveying here is that the Ephesians have surely heard by
now that by the grace of God, Paul has been made their apostle. The mystery he mentions is the divine plan in
which Jews and Gentiles are to be united into one faith. Paul states that he received this information
by revelation which most certainly means Jesus Christ. What is revealed in this revelation is the
redemption of humanity by Jesus Christ, the vocation of the Gentiles and the
command to proclaim the Gospel to them.
Both Saint Jerome and Saint John Chrysostom
suggest that this mystery was not entirely unknown to previous generations as
surely many of the Old Testament prophets understood God’s future plans. But now this mystery has been revealed to the
apostles who in turn have proclaimed it to everyone they came into contact
with. The revealed mystery of Gentiles
being equal partners in God’s gift of salvation was a scandal and the cause of
many of the persecutions of early Christianity.
Today, we continue to pray for this oneness. Although hopeful things are occurring as a
result of ecumenical dialogues, there is still a long way to go.
Gospel Commentary
Both the Latin and Greek text signify the “Magi”
as wise philosophers and astronomers.
They came from the east; some say Arabia ,
others from Chaldea , others from Persia Arabia
was renowned for these items.
The number of these wise men is uncertain. Pope Saint Leo the Great, in his sermons on
the Epiphany, speaks of them as if there were three, perhaps on account of
their three-fold offering (gold, frankincense and myrrh). There are also different opinions as to the
time that the star appeared to the Magi, whether before Christ’s birth, or
about the very time He was born, which seems more likely. The wise men found Jesus at Bethlehem, where
His Blessed Mother was to remain forty days, until the time of her purification
was expired. And it seems more logical
that the Wise Men came to Bethlehem about that time, rather than within
thirteen days after Christ’s birth; for if they had come so soon after Christ
was born, and been directed to go and make diligent inquiry at Bethlehem, which
was about five miles from Jerusalem, it’s hard to accept that so suspicious and
jealous a ruler as Herod was, would have waited almost a month for their return
without searching for the newborn King.
But it is likely that being alarmed by what happened when Jesus was
presented in the temple at His Mother’s purification, he then gave those
barbaric orders for the massacre of the innocent infants.
“We saw His star”; they knew it to be His star,
either by some prophecy among them, or by divine revelation. It is not known for certain whether it guided
them during the whole course of their journey from the east to Jerusalem
“When King Herod heard this, he was greatly
troubled” most certainly through fear of losing his kingdom, which he had
obtained by violence. But why was all of
Jerusalem alarmed at the news of a King so long and so fervently expected? Probably because the people, well acquainted
with the cruelty of Herod, feared a more afflictive slavery.
“And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah” was a clear
prophecy concerning the Messiah, foretold by the prophet Micah (5:1).
“And on entering the house” are words in which
several of the Church Fathers in their homilies, represent the Wise Men adoring
Jesus in the stable, and in the manger; yet others, with Saint John Chrysostom
explain, that before their arrival, Jesus may have been moved into some small
house in Bethlehem.
“Gold, frankincense, and myrrh” are gifts in
which the ancient Fathers take notice of their mystical signification. Gold was signified by their tribute they paid
to Him as their King; by incense, because He is God; and by myrrh, (with which
dead bodies used to be embalmed) because He has also become Man.
